For 2010, I decided to ask a poll question in the TechRepublic Microsoft Windows Blog on most every Friday (assuming I could come up with a compelling question). Last week, I used a blog post by Ed Bott over on ZDNet as the basis for what I thought was a fairly simple question:

As one might expect, the question sparked several passionate exchanges about Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Microsoft, Apple, Linux, and game controllers. (Check it out for yourself if you don't believe me.) I still find in the vast scheme of life, the universe, and everything that these fits of passion about something as insignificant as an operating system choice are slightly mind-boggling.

I use Windows XP at the office (CBS Interactive has not made the jump to Windows 7) and Windows 7 at home. Both versions work perfectly fine and do what they are supposed to do — I have no complaints. (By the way, neither XP nor 7 crash all the time, as I hear so often.) And I certainly don't mind that you use one or the other or Linux or Mac OS or CP/M or whatever. I don't feel the need to make a passionate plea that my choice is better than your choice. I say use the OS that fits your needs and I'll do the same.

But, judging by the discussions I see in the Windows Blog, I am seemingly in the minority. Apparently, one is supposed to be passionate about their operating system choices and, therefore, must defend said choice in forums wherever and whenever a dissenting opinion is expressed. I am curious as to why?

I am curious, because I reserve my passion for things that call for it, like family, love, friends, music, food, and race horses, among others. The last thing I have passion about is operating system choices. How about you?

What compels you to defend your operating system and condemn someone else's? Does their choice really matter that much to you? Why? Do you defend your favorite operating system against dissenters with passion? Where does this passion come from?

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About Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.

Full Bio

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.